# Modern Student Relaxation Centers The University of Seoul Rest Hole is Made for Student Enjoyment By Jennifer Paul | Published 2014-01-09 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/university-of-seoul-rest-hole References: [www10.aeccafe](http://www10.aeccafe.com/blogs/arch-showcase/2013/11/10/rest-hole-in-the-university-of-seoul-south-korea-by-utaa/) & [english.uos.ac.kr](http://english.uos.ac.kr/) What use to be an empty parking lot where students would go to smoke and store bikes is now the [University of Seoul](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/urban-space-concept) 'rest hole.' The architectural students at the University of Seoul and UTAA designed a space where students can gather and relax. The addition of [wooden panels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/resting-loop-with-views) were added to cover the large heavy columns already in place. This created an improvement in making the rest hole more spacious. The University of Seoul rest hole is created to allow air, light and sound to move smoothly throughout. An engineered wood called glulam (glue-laminated timber) was used to create the curved panels because of its flexibility and efficiency. In total about 500 columns of glulam were used, each with its own size and shape. Connectors were used so that nothing would move out of place. In the winter, the interior is warm enough for people to enjoy and in the summer it feels as though you are sitting surrounded by trees. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.2/10 - Popularity: 63% | Activity: 84% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) > [Eco Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/ecoarchitecture) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Student Relaxation Centers:** Opportunity for creating innovative spaces where students can gather and relax in educational institutions. - **Architectural Design:** Potential for incorporating wood panels and glulam materials to improve the aesthetics and functionality of spaces. - **Flexible Timber Materials:** Opportunity for using glulam, a glue-laminated timber, for its flexibility and efficiency in various construction projects. ### Where This Applies - **Education:** Disruptive innovation opportunity to develop modern student relaxation centers in universities and schools. - **Architecture:** Innovation opportunity to incorporate wooden panels and glulam materials in architectural designs for enhanced aesthetics and functionality. - **Construction:** Potential for using glulam as a flexible timber material in construction projects to improve structural design and efficiency. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Clustered Natural Campus Extensions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hongik-university.md) - [Renewed Urban Rooftops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heineken-seoul-rooftops.md) - [Zen-Like Shopping Malls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zenlike-shopping-mall.md) - [Pool Reinvention Campuses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/waltham-forest-college.md) - [Modern Blue-Accented Academic Buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/marie-esther-pavilion.md) - [Redesigning Restful Moments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/anew-project.md) - [Typhoon-Resilient Shelters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/seoul-wing.md) - [Community-Made Eco Campuses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wolves-lane-centre.md) - [Expansive School Bamboo Canopies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/talaricheruvu-rural-school.md)